Teens locked up for life without a second chance

[Dadu2004]

What do you think?

Teens locked up for life without a second chance - CNN.com

[mom2many]

I think that as a society we can't have it both ways, meaning either people under the age of 18 are children or they aren't. Is there really no hope for them? I just don't by that, I do believe that there is a small percentage of teens that can't be helped, but to say no parole or death is harsh when we are talking about kids, science shows that thier brains just aren't developed until thier early 20's and maybe later depending on the enviroment they were raised in. Kids make stupid mistakes, some greater then others, and if they do a crime they should have a consequence, but that should involve therapy, schooling and should be age appropriate.

JMO

[IADad]

First, of all, I'm all for law and order - strong laws and stronger prisons. And while I'm not a big death penalty advocate I see some room for argument for it in some cases. I don't see it as an age issue. There are horrible horrible 13 yo' who despite anybody's best effort simply aren't salvageable. I Don't think this is one of those kids. I think this kid got caught up in the moment, using bad judgement and likely regrets his actions every moment of every day. So, it's not likely that he possesses much threat to anybody else in society (until we keep him locked up in a hostile environment that turns him into a trained thug.)

So, on the flip side, we have sex offender, that we know are dangerous, we register them as dangerous, yet they live among us.

If they're know to be dangerous, keep them locked up (in some manner, accounting for mental institutions in some cases.) If you can make a good case that they don't possess a threat and can contribute to society, let them out, and maybe have them "pay their debt" in other ways community service, intediction, etc....

I just see this as a waste of two lives.

[Aunt]

I think locking up minors for life is in most cases morally reprihensible. In this case there was no reason for it as it was a tragic case of youthful stupidity. The boy is genuinely remoseful, the family has forgiven him and he will have to live with the other kid's death forever. The state should be working with the young man to become a productive citizen

[Music-dad]

I have mixed feelings about this....

I just saw a doc about Brenda Spencer (the girl that inspired the song, I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats).

After hearing her view, her lies, her father, her mother etc...I truly believe she deserves what she got.

Maybe not life for the 14 y/o in question, but certainly not a slap on the wrist either....he went too far, way too far....and I would think that if it had not have happenned THAT time, it may have happenned another time...obviously he has/had anger issues, as he turned a playfight into a murder.

I guess I'm torn on this one, but the Canadian system is a bit different, I doubt if he'd get the same up here....but you never know.

[16th ave.]

Originally Posted by Music-dad

I have mixed feelings about this....

I just saw a doc about Brenda Spencer (the girl that inspired the song, I Don't Like Mondays - Boomtown Rats).

After hearing her view, her lies, her father, her mother etc...I truly believe she deserves what she got.

Maybe not life for the 14 y/o in question, but certainly not a slap on the wrist either....he went too far, way too far....and I would think that if it had not have happenned THAT time, it may have happenned another time...obviously he has/had anger issues, as he turned a playfight into a murder.

I guess I'm torn on this one, but the Canadian system is a bit different, I doubt if he'd get the same up here....but you never know.

this one is too controversial, even for me. so i aint said nothin'. but i pretty much agree with music dad.
i couldn't tell if the kid had had some previous mental issues. with that ya have to think he knew better. so a very severe punishment with prison time is definitely warranted.
life in prison is a bit much. but the kid certainly needs more than a slap on the wrist.
the kid was old enough to know better. in this day in age there was no way he couldn't have known better. life in prison? no, definitely too strong a consequence. but a punishment with prison time? definitely, along with Tons of counseling, parole, and more.
There Has to be some major consequences somewhere along the line for all the screw ups kids do because most (especially the teens) know right from wrong even. if not--you're gonna get what most folks are getting now--kids who lie, cheat, steal, think its ok to treat people and animals cruelly, kids who have no respect for anything or anyone.<------those kids are the future adults with the same sort of mind frame of thinking its ok to steal, cheat, lie, and so on if there are no consequences other than a slap on the wrist.

[TabascoNatalie]

if it is about an intentional act of violent crime, such as murder, rape, or maiming for life, if feel no difference if the offender is 16 or 36.
36yo's also may have family issues, abuse histories, whatsoever.
there's too much concern for second chance for the offenders. but what about their victims? did they have a FIRST chance at all?